Festivals in Denver in July 2018

Festivals in Denver in July 2018 include a wide variety of cultural, music, beer, and art gatherings. Top options this month include the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, Colorado Black Arts Festival and the Cherry Creek Arts Festival.

Cherry Creek Arts Festival

Dates: 7/6-7/8

Location: 230 Fillmore St.

One of the best festivals in Denver in July is the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, located in the Cherry Creek North Shopping District. This free award-winning event showcases visual, culinary, and performing arts.

You can meet international juried artists and watch their demonstrations. Available artwork includes ceramics, drawing, metal, glass, jewelry, fiber, painting, photography, and sculpture. If you find that perfect piece of art, there's an onsite framing booth.

When you're hungry, head to Culinary Avenue, which features local eateries offering foods from around the world.

Attend concerts, take the family to the children's art playground, and participate in hands-on activities such as button making, finger painting, and mask making.

LoHi Bazaar

Dates: 7/6-7/8

The LoHi Bazaar is a three-day festival featuring music, BBQ and shopping. This new event is brought to you by the group that produces other top festivals in Denver such as the LoHi Music Festival, the Top Taco and the Denver Bazaar.

The LoHi District, just northwest of downtown Denver, is one of the newest hot spots and this festival is the place to be this weekend.

Check out a large selection of local vendors creating handmade goods. You will find everything from clothing to decor. There will also be several top BBQ restaurants on hand serving up their tastiest treats. Need a cocktail or a beer? Head over to the Cowboy Glitter Bar for a nice cool drink as you listen to some of Denver's hottest bands.

This three day festival is on 32nd St. Between Tejon St. & Zuni St.

Colorado Black Arts Fest

Dates: 7/13-7/15

Location: City Park

The Colorado Black Arts Festival is another one of the top festivals in Denver in July. It showcases African arts and culture, from music and artwork to dance and history. This award-winning festival, the region's premiere African-American celebration, attracts more than 55,000 attendees.

Watch the Boogaloo Celebration Parade, take the kids to the children's pavilion and a scavenger hunt, browse the artwork in the marketplace, and check out the vintage car show.

Entertainment includes music of all types: blues, jazz, gospel, soul, reggae, hip-hop, and world. Performing arts include a drum and drill team, interpretive dance, and a community drum circle.

Colorado Irish Festival

Dates: 7/13 - 7/15

Location: Clement Park in Littleton (7306 W. Bowles Ave.)

Irish eyes will be smiling this weekend when the Colorado Irish Festival takes over Clement Park in Littleton.

This annual celebration of all things Irish will have you dancing a jig to bagpipes, drums, and both traditional and contemporary Irish music. A musical highlight will be when Ireland's Folk Band of the Year, The High Kings, takes the stage Friday night.

There's also a Sunday mass starting at 9 a.m. Those who attend mass get free admission for the rest of the day.

Global Dance

Dates: 7/20 - 7/21

Location: Mile High Stadium

Mile High Stadium is the location for this year's Global Dance Festival, a three-day celebration of electronic dance music that draws artists and fans from all over the world. It's one of the festivals in Denver in July that features two stages with state-of-the-art lasers and lights to accompany the pulsing dance beats.

About two dozen more bands are scheduled to perform again this year.

Biergarten Festival

Dates: 7/13-7/15

Location: TEV Edelweiss Festival Grounds in Morrison

Don your dirndls and lederhosen and head just outside of Denver where you'll find an authentic biergarten. This is one of the festivals in Denver in July that is family-friendly and celebrates all things German, from food to music to dancing.

Fill your stein with Paulaner or Hacker-Pschorr beers and binge on bratwurst, wienerschnitzel, and apfelstrudel. The award-winning, European-trained Chef Neuhold and other food providers will make sure you don't leave hungry.

On Saturday, sign up to test your strength in the stein-hoisting competition. On Sunday, bring along your dachshund for the weiner dog race — you won't want to miss these adorable pups outrun each other!

There's also live music, chalet dancers, children's activities, and merchandise — don't forget to purchase your very own stein. Prost!

The Big Eat

Date: 7/12

Location: Garner Galleria, Denver Center for the Performing Arts

If you're a foodie and in town on July 12, make it a priority to attend The Big Eat. You'll get the true taste of Denver from more than 50 local independent restaurants.

The tasting party under the canopy of Garner Galleria features the city's best culinary talent from eateries such as Bremen's Wine & Tap, Cafe Marmotte, Happy Cakes Bakeshop, LoHi SteakBar, and Vesta Dipping Grill. Beverages include regional wines, craft beers, and cocktails made with local spirits.

There's also live entertainment from several local artists. This is one of the festivals in Denver in July that you will not want to miss!

Lavender Festival at the Botanic Gardens

Date: 7/21

Location: Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms in Littleton

If you love the smell of lavender, spend the day at this festival at the Denver Botanic Gardens' location at Chatfield Farms. The free event centers around the farm's garden containing more than 800 lavender plants.

This is another one of the family-friendly festivals in Denver in July. It includes hayrides, barrel train rides, face painting, and farm tours. Demonstrations show how to grow lavender, make lavender soap, cook with it, and use it as medicine.

Lavender products from local growers will be available for purchase.

Stapleton Beer Fest

Date: 7/21

Location: Founders Green, 7601 E. 29th Ave.

Colorado is known for its craft breweries, so it's no wonder that there are plenty of festivals in Denver in July to show off their products. This year, the Stapleton Beer Festival includes brews from Bull & Bush Brewing, Cerebral Brewing, Stem Ciders, Odyssey Beerwerks, Ursula, and more.

To go along with your drinks, check out the onsite food trucks such as Baker St. Pretzels, El Toro The Tot, OG Burgers, Dude Bro Taco, and Em's Ice Cream.

There is also free music all night long.

Denver Summer Brew Fest

Dates: 7/27 & 7/28

Location: Mile High Station at 2027 W. Lower Colfax Ave.

Summer Brew Fest at Mile High Station showcases regional and national craft breweries. Your ticket gets you a souvenir glass and unlimited tastings from more than 100 breweries such as Alpine Dog, Big B's Hard Cider, Lagunitas, Verboten, and Nighthawk.

Arvada on Tap

Arvada on Tap is sure to please even the most discriminating craft brew and barbeque enthusiasts.

More than 25 local and regional breweries will feature pilsners, lagers, and ales. Splurge on a ticket to the VIP tent to get access to the brewers, unlimited samples, special brews, and appetizers.

The Kansas City Barbeque Society will judge a grilling contest with 36 teams competing from all over the nation. While at the festival, take advantage of the rare opportunity to get cooking tips first-hand from professional grillers and judges.

Entertainment includes live music, a homebrew competition, prize drawings, and a marketplace with brewing supplies, barbecue accessories, clothing, and more.

This year the event features more than 400 musicians on 20 stages along South Broadway. Artists scheduled to appear include artists such as Polica, Thee Oh Sees, Allah Las, Lee Fields & The Expressions, San Fermin, The Bright Light Social Hour, and The Yawpers.

Evergreen Jazz Festival

Eleven top jazz bands take the stage this year during the Jazz Festival in Evergreen, just 30 minutes southwest of Denver.

This no-frills festival has small crowds and stages so you can enjoy a more intimate music experience.

A free shuttle service takes music lovers between the five unique venues, which include a church, Elks lodge, and lake house. It's another one of the great family-friendly festivals in Denver in July.

Cheesman Park Art

Dates: 7/28 & 7/29

Location: Cheesman Park

This free art festival, located in the historic Cheesman Park in central Denver, is one of the nation's top art shows. The best thing about this festival is that, although the quality of the artwork is very high, the prices aren't.

More than 130 juried artists from 30 states display their authentic handcrafted artwork. Browse their pottery, paintings, jewelry, sculptures, and glass artwork. You're sure to find the perfect souvenir to take back home with you.

While there, enjoy live music all day and try out the food trucks. Vendors include vendors such as El Toro the Tot, Hey PB & J, Still Smokin' BBQ, Maui Wowi Smoothies, and The Funnel Truck.

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

Dates: 7/28 & 7/29

Location: Sloan's Lake at 25th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard

With more than 100,000 attendees, the award-winning Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is the area's premiere Asian-American and Pacific Islander cultural event. It's also one of the largest festivals in Denver in July.

The highlight of the event is the dragon boat races, a 2,000-year old sport originating in China. The races start at 8 a.m. and go all day until 5 p.m. They are followed by an awards ceremony. This year, 52 teams from around the United States will compete in the races on Sloan Lake.

In addition to the races, you can browse the marketplace and sample Asian cuisine from more than 20 vendors. Performing arts include fan dances, martial arts, and hip-hop.